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such information and on the theory of "one great infecting centre,"
might well have seemed to the opponents of the hospital to sujport
their views.
I had Dr. Makuna's permission last year, to quote from his letters,
26 in number, hut did not think it would be fair to anticipate the
interest of a paper he then purposed to -write. Now, however, that he
has retired from his post, owing to ill health, without having carried out
his design, I feel that I shall be acting in harmony with his views,
in giving publicity to some of the interesting facts and cases he brought
under my notice within the short period of less than three months—
April to July, 1879.
One of the most remarkable facts in connexion with the epidemic
in the south and west parts of Kensington, is the large number of
instances in which a female domestic servant was the only person
attacked in a large household. The theory of infection emanating
from the hospital was difficult to sustain in theFe circumstances, the
true explanation, doubtless, being that the illness was contiacted by
visiting in infected localities— often on the "Sunday out." The
following cases are in point:—
M. A. B., domestic servant, was admitted into the hospital from Queen's Gate
Gardens on 7th April. She caught the disease by visiting her parents at Charlotte
Street, Chelsea, on the 26th March, when her brother was lying ill. He was
removed to the hospital on 27tli March, and shortly after her admission she was
followed by six brothers and sisters. (1*)
Some piivate cases were under treatment at a house in Ifield Road. E. B., a
servant, also living in Ifield Road, contracted the disease by visiting fellow servants
at this house.
Other domestic servants removed from the fame locality were
probably infected by these or other private cases treated at home
without due regard to public safety, means of isolation, &c. for several
of the patients had friends and relatives in the centres of infection
whom they visited whenever they got a holiday.
P. W. was admitted from Ifield Road on March 15th. Her parents lived at
St. George's Square, North End, Fulham, an infedted locality. She knew a family
there, an unvaccirated child of which was first taken to a Dispensary by his
mother about the 6tli day of eruption and then walked to the hospital. She had
seen this child about 3 or 4 days before his removal and when on a visit to her
parents. (1)
* The figures in brackets refer to the number of the letter in which the case, with name,
date, locality, &c., was communicated to me by the Medical Superintendent.